They had been using strut zones within the timber and were henned up, so my plan was to slip in there very early. As I was easing into position, I looked up and realized that I was 20 yds. from a roosted gobbler. I could only ease into a seated position, against a bare cedar, and wait. As the sun came up, I learned that I was in the middle of 6 roosted gobblers! The boss was strutting on the limb, 60 yds. away. It was spectacular!

Iowa law allows you to shoot on the limb during legal hours, but I will not do it. I had to see what he was going to do when he flew down. The boss came down first and began to strut his was to my set-up. Then the closer gobbler dropped down right in front of me. I stood out like a sore thumb at that range and he began to run to the right. Bad angle! I shot right over his head and he flew. I turned back just in time to see the boss tom also in flight. If I had eaten breakfast, I'd have lost it right there.

But hey, I cannot complain. While tough, this season had given me several big pieces of breast meat, some awesome memories, and a lot of hard earned lessons. It's all good. I've still got a couple of weekends. Who knows?

My season has had it's ups and downs, but it ended on an awesome note. I set up close but played "follow the gobbler" for two hours after fly down. Then I decided to stop the run and gun, found a good spot and began calling. I tied into a gobbler at a distance and brought him gobbling all the way in. He strut a slow circle around my decoy at 10 yds. before I took him. Talk about a heart pounding hunt!

22 lbs., 11" beard and 1" spurs. That was my last Iowa tag and Missouri is over today. I may guide next weekend, but I'm otherwise done. God has blessed me with another great season!